Zohran Mamdani Heckled After Mira Nair’s Name Appears in Epstein Files

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced public backlash outside his official residence after the name of his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, appeared in newly released documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The incident unfolded after the United States Department of Justice made public millions of additional pages connected to Epstein-related investigations, reigniting scrutiny around individuals mentioned in historic correspondence.

Videos circulating on social media showed a group of protesters gathered outside Gracie Mansion, shouting slogans such as “shame” and “you lied to us” through a megaphone. The protesters claimed they had supported Mamdani during his mayoral campaign and accused him of misleading them, directly referencing his mother during the confrontation.

The protest followed revelations that Mira Nair’s name appeared in an email connected to a 2009 social gathering held at the New York townhouse of Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking network. The email referenced an “after party” following a film screening attended by several high-profile figures.

According to the disclosed correspondence, the gathering included notable personalities such as former US President Bill Clinton and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, among others. The message suggested that Mira Nair was present at the event, although it did not allege any wrongdoing on her part. The film mentioned in the email is believed to be Amelia, a 2009 biographical drama directed by Nair, starring Hillary Swank and Richard Gere.

The resurfacing of the email has sparked renewed debate online, particularly as it coincides with Mamdani’s early weeks in office. Protesters outside the mayor’s residence appeared to link the disclosure to broader concerns about transparency, despite the absence of any accusation against the mayor himself.

The documents became public following the latest release by the United States Department of Justice, which unveiled over three million additional pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The law was signed in November 2025 and mandates the phased disclosure of records connected to Epstein and related investigations. The latest release includes thousands of videos, hundreds of thousands of images, and extensive written records, bringing the total volume of public material close to 3.5 million pages.

The records draw from multiple investigations, including criminal cases in Florida and New York, proceedings against Ghislaine Maxwell, federal probes into Epstein’s death, and internal reviews by oversight bodies. As expected, the disclosures have led to renewed public attention on individuals mentioned in historical emails and contact lists, even when no allegations of misconduct are attached.

Zohran Mamdani assumed office as New York City’s mayor on January 1 after defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. At 34, he became the city’s youngest mayor and its first Muslim mayor. While the Epstein document release has triggered public reactions and protests, no evidence has emerged linking Mamdani or his mother to Epstein’s crimes. The incident underscores the far-reaching political and social impact of the ongoing disclosures surrounding one of the most scrutinised scandals in recent history.